“It’s true what they say of Mandela. In all of our various conversations, there was never a word of acrimony, of rancour. I’d be ready to rhetorically kill all and any of his detractors, past and present, and he’d smile indulgently, treating me, in the gentlest of ways, as a disgruntled adolescent. I could never get over the kindness, the decency, the generosity with which he viewed the world. All the world.”—Stephen Lewis, Canada’s former UN ambassador, writing of his personal connection with Mandela

“It’s a kick in the steamer that he’s gone, but he was always there to show the way…He managed to get the people [of South Africa] to remain calm, not to hate—and that was quite extraordinary. I can’t share my experiences [in South Africa] because, frankly, I am really, truly overwhelmed with his loss…He never lost his dignity. You can’t say that of many people.”—Barbara Amiel, columnist and journalist, speaking of Mandela at the David Foster gala

“He was one of the great personalities I’ve met in my life…A very simple person, not complicated, soft talking and a good sense of humour. And an extremely pleasant chap to talk with…When we made the decision not to [participate in the Iraq war], he was very complimentary to Canada and to me…[His] mark on public life will be forever.”—Jean Chretien, former prime minister of Canada

“It is very sad news that we just learned of the passing of Nelson Mandela. You look at someone who has spent [27] years in prison and he had no animosity—that’s what you call a true man. And the world will miss him—every country, every city he touched.”—Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto, speaking to reporters at city hall

Did you confuse prominent with notorious? The moving statements by Stephen Lewis and others are diminished in the company of Rob Ford and Conrad Black. Giving them a platform is galling particularly when no Black/African-Canadian community leader is “prominent” enough to be included.

See for example:
“For the last ten years, [Nelson]Mandela had a detached house and swimming pool at Robbin [sic] Island. I’m not underestimating what he went through, but he was not in a cell.” Conrad Black in 2009. Illustration by Dean Tweed / The Globe and Mail. At http://bit.ly/1d5m80D